Best Cordless Power Drill for Bolting on Lead

Which is your favorite cordless drill for bolting on lead, and why?

I've been using a Bosch 36v compact for several years. Drilled hundreds of holes in all rock types, been great for me.

Makita BHR 162RFJ, that´s what I use.

Bosch 36v ..superb.

Bosch is currently putting out two different 36v rotary hammers. The 11536C-2 and the 11536VSR. Anyone ever tried the VSR on lead? Faster drilling times make the extra weight worth it?

I've used both to bolt on lead and prefer the lighter one if I have a choice. But I also strongly prefer bolting from the top down if possible because I think it generally produces better routes.

Alex Bury wrote:Thanks guys. So after looking at the Bosch website, they are currently putting out two different 36v rotary hammers. The 11536C-2 and the 11536VSR. The C-2 seems like the obvious choice, it being about three pounds lighter than the VSR. Out of curiosity however, anyone ever tried the VSR on lead? Faster drilling times make the extra weight worth it?

I own both and put up routes on lead. I strongly prefer the lightweight model. I use the big drill when I am replacing bolts.

milwaukee

Bosch compact, you won't be disappointed. Ground up or top down, it's a powerful drill.

Chris Clarke wrote:I've used both to bolt on lead and prefer the lighter one if I have a choice. But I also strongly prefer bolting from the top down if possible because I think it generally produces better routes.

Try that on a sandstone tower or multi pitch climbs. Not all climbing is single pitch.....yes hard to believe these days!

I like what Grover posted. I use their 12V system for other tools and its amazing how much you get from one of those little batteries. The thing is only 3.8 lbs, the batteries are under a pound. You could carry 5 easier than the Bosch.
If you are only using it to trad fa and thus only plinking in about half the bolts than a sport route at most, this would be the tool.
If you want to develop a sport crag, or do construction projects, get the Bosch.

USBRIT,

Believe it or not, there are a few multipitch routes in the Andes where I climb. The walls here may not match the towering cliffs of your alpine paradise in Great Britain but we get by ok. The words "if possible" in my post have a meaning.

It also depends quite a bit on the rock. For quality granite, the Bosch is really the only choice. other stone ? maybe..?
I have a makita 18V..i think a 2241 model...it works really well insofter rock..12 3.5" holes easy per battery. it's pretty light 5.5 or so

Are you going to carry the drill or short line it ??

Chris Clarke wrote:USBRIT, Believe it or not, there are a few multipitch routes in the Andes where I climb. The walls here may not match the towering cliffs of your alpine paradise in Great Britain but we get by ok. The words "if possible" in my post have a meaning.

USBRIT doesn't need me to back him up but,,,,he has done MANY f/a's..hundreds and hundreds...maybe a thousand ? All over the place.

Chris Clarke wrote:USBRIT, Believe it or not, there are a few multipitch routes in the Andes where I climb. The walls here may not match the towering cliffs of your alpine paradise in Great Britain but we get by ok. The words "if possible" in my post have a meaning.

I have never used a drill on the small UK crags. I was refering to my other 300+ FAs just in Utah/Colorado prior to last year.Anyway sorry just noted on your personal page that you only posted single pitch climbs.PS have had up to 40 4" holes in softer sandstone on one battery charge from the Bosch 36v.

Another option from Bosch if weight is a concern (and ground up it is a concern) is the 18636-03. I've used this drill for 100's of bolt holes in both sandstone and limestone. With a fresh battery and sharp bit I can get 15-20 holes.

john strand wrote:Are you going to carry the drill or short line it ??

I want to carry it. Short lining is an interesting option though. I can see doing either depending on the way the route looks.

Having used a bunch of different drills over the years (Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee & Makita), my weapon of choice is the Hilti T6-A. I have the Lithium Ion battery pack which makes the drill much lighter. Plus the Hilti uses a pneumatic hammer which will make your hands much happier after many holes. The drilling is faster and smoother than mechanical hammer drills because it is air cushioned. Also with the added ability to have the battery pack relocated to a belt with an adapter, it easily makes this drill my top pick. I was able to purchase mine relatively cheap off ebay as well.

$150 for drill body
$99 for 36v lithium ion battery pack
$65 for charger

Alex Bury wrote:Which is your favorite cordless drill for bolting on lead, and why?

Bosch 36v compact!

Why?

Light
Compact/short (better for holding above your head)
Small batteries still do 8+ full bit length 3/8 holes in hard limestone.
It also accepts the full size battery which does 15+ holes full bit holes in super hard stone. The light battery is preferable on lead.

I could see goin with an 18v super light one for ground up trad lines where you are only placing anchors.

Russ Walling wrote:Alex, think about a remote system too... where the batteries live in a bag down below and you just carry the drill attached with an extension cord. The extension cord is also your trail line. Pull the bag up and hang from a hook every few bolts. I used a 50ft cord and a chopped down Bosch 12v.

+1.

I've used this system with a couple of different drills (Hilti TE-6 36 volt and Bosch Annihilator 24 volt) over the years and I really like it for drilling on lead. Lead or not, it's nice having the big heavy battery on the ground and not hanging from you in any way.

Hi USBRIT,

It wasn't my intention to insult you. I just wanted to point out that my preference for top down bolting, where feasible and consistent with the local ethic, is based on a lot more than setting a few one pitch sport routes. Like you, making new routes is my hobby and I have made somewhere between 300-500 FAs of all types of routes. My personal page just lists a few random routes that I have enjoyed over the years.

I brought a compact 36v Bosch to some friends here in Bolivia and it broke within two years. Meanwhile, my regular 36v Bosch is still going strong after thousands of holes. I borrow the slimpack batteries sometimes for bolting on lead which lightens up the big drill considerably.